Two switch actuator means

ABSTRACT

A pivotal actuator means having two pivot means is used to substantially simultaneously actuate two switches.

United States Patent Puerner 1451 May 23, 1972 54] TWO SWITCH ACTUATOR MEANS [56] References Cited [72] Inventor: George 0. Puerner, Frankfort, Ind. UNITED STATES PATENTS Assigneel l y & n n i p 3,187,120 6/1965 Akst ..200/17 R x Ind. 2,319,593 5/1943 Fisher ..200/16 R [22] Filed: 1970 Primary ExaminerH. 0. Jones [21 I AWL 3 735 Anomey-Richard H. Childress, Robert F. Meyer and Henry Wv Cummings [52] US. Cl. ..200/172 A, 200/153 LA [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int.Cl.

58 Field of Search ..200/153 LA, 153 K, 153 N, 50 c, A actuator means havmg means used 200/172 A, 16 R, 17 R, 18 R; 74/99R substantially simultaneously actuate two switches.

8 Clains, 4 Drawing Figures Patented May 23, 1972 RR E mN R E V U m P O E G R E G V ATTORNEY TWO SWITCH ACTUATOR MEANS This invention relates to electrical control switches; more particularly, it relates to an actuator means for substantially simultaneously operating a pair of rotary switches.

In the television industry there is a need for providing a pair of switches which cooperate with one another such that when one is switched to an off position, the other is substantially simultaneously switched to an on" position. For example, it may be desirable to keep the filaments of a television warm even after the television has been turned off. This can best be accomplished by providing a pair of switches with a common switch actuator means, such that when one switch is turned off the other is automatically turned on.

The present invention is concerned with a control means and has as one of its objects the provision of a pair of rotary switch means which can be selectively and simultaneously turned on and off.

Another object of the invention is to provide an actuator means which can substantially simultaneously actuate a pair of rotary switches.

A further object of the invention is to provide an actuator means which can substantially simultaneously actuate a pair of rotary switches which includes two pivot means.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide in a control means having a pair of switch means a slide means engaging each of the switches, a pivotal actuator means having two pivot means, and means connecting one of the pivot means to the slide means.

Another object of the invention is to provide an actuator means for substantially simultaneously actuating a pair of rotary switches wherein the actuator means has two pivot means with at least the pivot means being constructed from a wear resistant, self-lubricating plastic.

Yet still another object of the invention is the provision of an actuator means for substantially simultaneously actuating a pair of rotary switches wherein the actuator means has two pivot means with at least the pivot means being constructed of nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide an actuator means for substantially simultaneously actuating a pair of rotary switches which has two pivot means, one of which is stationary and the other movable.

Still another object of the invention is to provide an actuator means which substantially simultaneously operates a pair of rotary switches which includes stop means limiting the actuators travel.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a bottom view in partial cross-section showing a control means having two rotary switches and the actuator means used to actuate the switches;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the actuator means and the switches in different positions;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the actuator means of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a side elevation showing the control means.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing in a control means wherein two switch means are actuated substantially simultaneously, a switch actuator means including a slide means engaging each of the switch means, a pivotal actuator means having two pivot means, and means connecting one of the pivot means to the slide means.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a control means having two rotary switch means 12 and 14 carried by base member 16. Each of the switch means includes pivotally mounted unitarily constructed spaced tangs l2, l2" and 14', 14" which are spring loaded through suitable springs (not shown). Selective, substantially simultaneous pivoting of the tangs will cause actuation of movable contacts (not shown), to selectively engage electrical contacts to complete electrical circuits. Such rotary switches are known in the control device art and are not a critical feature of the present invention, it being understood that various types of switches may be used.

The tangs are pivotally rotated through motion of slider means 18. Slider means 18 includes a pair of tabs 20 and 22 adapted to engage the tangs of switch means 12 and 14 respectively. Axial alignment and guidance of slide means 18 is achieved through tab 24 which engages an aperture in flange 16 of base member 16, and tab 26 which extends through aperture 28 from base member 16. Aperture 28 is formed in slider means 18. Slider means 18 is connected to actuator means 30 through connecting rod 31. Connecting rod3l is connected to slider means 30 through post 27 which is carried by the slider means.

Actuator means 30 includes a base member 32 carrying two pivot means 34 and 36, stop means 39, and a cover or cap 40. Pivot means 34 is stationary and includes a bushing 34 surrounding post 42. Base member 32 with cap 40 pivots about the bushing 34'. The entire actuator means is carried by support flange 16" of base member 16, post 42 extending through an aperture of the flange and into cap 40. Pivot means 36 is movable and includes a bushing 36' surrounding post 44. Pivot means 36 is movable in that the base member 32 and the cap 40 pivot about pivot means 34. Connecting rod 31 pivots about bushing 36 between the bushing and shoulder 46 in accordance with the movement of base member 32. Cap 40 includes apertures 41, 43, 45, through which posts 38, 42 and 44 extend with the cap being staked to the posts. Support flange 16" is carried in channel 46 between cap or cover 40. Channel 46 has side walls 46' and 46". These side walls serve as stop means 39 in that they limit the amount of arcuate or pivotal travel of the pivotal switch actuator means 30.

A cap 48 provides for manual operation of the actuator means 30, the cap being snuggly fitted over the actuator means. The control unit 10 is mounted on a suitable support means (not shown), with the cap 48 extending through a panel 50.

In operation, manual depression of either face 48' or 48" of the cap 40 causes actuator means 30 to pivot about bushing 34 which in turn causes connecting rod 32 to pivot about bushing 36 which causes slide means 18 to slide back and forth to cause tangs 12, 12" and 14, 14" to be acruately displaced to actuate rotary switch means 12 and 14 respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, face 48' has been depressed such that tangs l2" and 14" are engaged by tabs 20 and 22 to be arcuately displaced. Stop means 38 has limited the arcuate displacement of the actuator means 30. In FIG. 2, face 48" has been actuated such that tangs l2 and 14 have been engaged by tabs 20 and 22 to be arcuately disposed.

By the devices operation, especially with the switches 12 and 14 being spring loaded, there will be considerable wear on the pivoting actuator means 30, especially the bearing surfaces of bushings 34 and 36. To this end, the present invention contemplates the use of a highly wear resistant material at least for the pivot means 34 and 36, especially the bearing surfaces of the bushings. Exceptional results are achieved with a plastic such as nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide.

Thus there is described an actuator means having two pivot means adapted to simultaneously actuate a pair of switches.

What is claimed is:

1. In a control means wherein two switch means are actuated substantially simultaneously:

a. slide means engaging each of said switch means,

b. a pivotal actuator means having two pivot means, at least said two pivot means being plastic, and

c. means connecting one of said pivot means to said slide means, the pivoting of said actuator means causing said slide means to actuate said two switch means substantially simultaneously.

2. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein said two pivot means includes a stationary pivot means and a movable pivot means.

3. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein said plastic is nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide.

6. In a control means according to claim 5 wherein said stop means includes a channel provided in said base member, said channel including side walls engaging a support member carrying said pivotal switch actuator means.

7. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein substantially said entire pivoted actuator means is plastic.

8. In a control means according to claim 7 wherein said plastic is nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide. 

1. In a control means wherein two switch means are actuated substantially simultaneously: a. slide means engaging each of said switch means, b. a pivotal actuator means having two pivot means, at least said two pivot means being plastic, and c. means connecting one of said pivot means to said slide means, the pivoting of said actuator means causing said slide means to actuate said two switch means substantially simultaneously.
 2. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein said two pivot means includes a stationary pivot means and a movable pivot means.
 3. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein said plastic is nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide.
 4. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein said pivotal switch actuator means includes a base member, posts extending from said base member, bushings surrounding at least two of said posts, a cover means, apertures in said cover means receiving said posts, said cover means staked to said posts.
 5. In a control means according to claim 4 wherein said pivotal switch actuator means further includes stop means carried by said base member limiting the travel of said pivotal switch actuator means.
 6. In a control means according to claim 5 wherein said stop means includes a channel provided in said base member, said channel including side walls engaging a support member carrying said pivotal switch actuator means.
 7. In a control means according to claim 1 wherein substantially said entire pivoted actuator means is plastic.
 8. In a control means according to claim 7 wherein said plastic is nylon impregnated with molybdenum disulfide. 